Saved the Best Till Last

When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didn't know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom, "Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you've saved the best till now!" (John 2:9-10 MSG)

Jesus is our Bridegroom.

The Bible admonishes us to avoid getting drunk with wine, but rather be filled with the Holy Spirit. (see Eph 5:18) So, the Bible compares the experience of encounter and communion with the Holy Spirit (who brings real joy and fulfillment) with imbibing with alcohol (counterfeit joy).

This is a literal story from John chapter two, but there are some parallels, some symbols for today. Now, peek at the verse again.

The host could be likened to a church leader or a pastor who is in charge of gathering the congregation and meeting their needs (by delegating responsibilities, etc.).

The Holy Spirit is the “wine.” We enjoy Him, drinking deeply of His goodness in the presence of God.

God gives believers a well of living water that flows from the inside out. (see John 4:14) And something happens when we encounter the Holy Spirit that goes beyond the effects of water (which are very good) to the effects of godly intoxication (including true freedom, healing, breaking out of our stuck places, and so much more). 

He brought me to the banqueting house,
      And his banner over me was love. (Song of Songs 2:4 NKJV)

(banqueting house literally means house of intoxication) 

Jesus is the Bridegroom. He sends the Holy Spirit to us. (See John 16:7) When we commune with God, we can be filled with the Holy Spirit (spiritual “wine”).

And, using Jesus’ description (esp. Matthew 24) and other biblical prophecies as our guide, we can deduce we’re in the final days of the church age. (Though, of course, only God knows the day and the hour of the Rapture—see Matt. 24:36).

Now, read John 2:9-10 again:

When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didn't know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom, "Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you've saved the best till now!” (John 2:9,10 MSG)

I read in that an invitation to go deeper. To commune more sweetly with the Lord these days and that we have an unprecedented opportunity to experience Him like no one else in history. (Consider the principle of  Matt. 13:16-17.) That's partly due to the bridal revelation God is releasing for His people right now. We're the Bride and we can know Jesus as Bridegroom. Ours is the first generation where this truth has been released on a broad scale. Not only has this truth been revealed, but people are receiving it as truth and experiencing God as the Lover of their souls in a new way. (If you haven't yet, ask Him. He'll show you.) And, there is more revelation to come as God reveals God to our hearts, awakening us.

So, let’s draw ever nearer to Him. He is the priority of our days, of our life. Keep Him first. Delight in Him. Get close enough to watch Him move in your circumstances. And drink deeply of the Holy Spirit.